Putin Warns Russia Will Use Force to Achieve Ukraine War Goals if Peace Talks Stall
MOSCOW / KYIV — Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a forceful statement this weekend asserting that Moscow will pursue its Ukraine war objectives by military means if Kyiv refuses to agree to a peace settlement, deepening doubts about the prospects for ending Europe’s longest war in decades. Putin’s comments come amid intense fighting and just days before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida to discuss a possible peace deal.
Speaking on Saturday at a Russian military command post, Putin criticised Ukraine’s leaders for what he described as a lack of urgency to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict that began nearly four years ago with Moscow’s full-scale invasion. Putin said that if Ukraine is unwilling to embrace negotiations, Russia will press ahead and “achieve all its goals” through force of arms, signalling Moscow’s growing impatience and resolve to secure battlefield gains.
The Russian president’s remarks followed a large Russian drone and missile attack on Ukrainian territory that prompted Zelenskyy to accuse Moscow of showing it still prefers war to peace. The assault, which struck multiple cities including the capital Kyiv and eastern frontline towns, underscored the fragility of diplomatic efforts and continuing civilian suffering.
Putin’s statement — carried by the state news agency TASS — highlighted Moscow’s claims that its forces have captured strategic towns in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. However, the Ukrainian military rejected these assertions, saying that fierce defensive operations continue and that Russian gains are overstated. Both sides agree that verifying frontline developments independently remains difficult amid restricted access and ongoing fighting.
Zelenskyy, who has repeatedly said Ukraine wants peace, is preparing to outline a 20-point peace framework during talks with Trump that focus on ending hostilities, securing international security guarantees, and addressing territorial disputes. While Kyiv wants to uphold its sovereignty and retain control of its territory, Moscow’s demands have included controversial terms that Ukraine has rejected as unacceptable.
International reaction to Putin’s declaration was mixed. Western diplomats reiterated support for diplomatic avenues while urging de-escalation, but analysts warn that the Kremlin’s stance — combining military pressure with public warnings — may reflect a strategy of forcing Ukraine into less favourable negotiating positions. The upcoming meetings in Florida are now seen as crucial tests of whether peace proposals can survive amid battlefield tensions and competing visions for the war’s end.
